Name plate

ABSTRACT

An identification plate designed to be bonded to the wall of an object requiring protection, such as a computer, providing identification and/or recovery information for the said object if it is lost or stolen, comprises first information about the object which is located on a first plate and second information about the object which is located on a second plate, and is characterized in that the second plate is located in a window provided within the first plate, and that the level of protection for the second information is greater than that for the first information.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an identification plate which is intended tobe placed on the side of an object which it is desired to protect,providing information for the identification and/or recovery of the saidobject.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Desktop and personal computers, among other objects of value, haveconventionally been a target for theft and robbery because, among otherthings, of their ready portability and the possibility that they can beresold. For this reason many identification systems which in some wayindelibly identify the object when incorporated with it, showing that itis a stolen object and therefore making its resale difficult, have beenconceived in the art.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,225,520 discloses a stamp or sealespecially designed to demonstrate that a fee has been paid, theauthenticity of which can be verified by scraping off the upper layersof the seal, which exposes a mark or print authenticating the seal.

French patent FR 2,369,639 describes an anti-theft identification labelwhich provides identification and/or recovery information printed ontothe inner surface of the label using an ink which has greater affinityfor the adhesive covering the surface than for its own plastic backingon which it is printed, such that any attempt to remove the label willresult in at least some of the adhesive together with the informationprinted upon it remaining stuck on the object being protected.

Finally, European patent EP 0,465,305 discloses an identification plateshowing identification information for the object on its top surface,and which also includes recovery information printed on its bottomsurface, which if the plate is removed is transferred through adhesionto the wall of the object being protected, thus indicating that it is astolen article.

All these identification plates in the prior art start from the basisthat the weak point in the system is the adhesive joining the plate tothe wall of the object requiring identification. However, present-dayhigh-strength adhesives to a large extent make it difficult to tear offthe plate, so that the weak point in the system is not the joint betweenthe plate and the wall of the object requiring protection, but the upperlayers of the plate, which are capable of being removed by abrasion, itthen being possible to gain access to the printed information whichmight be erased, for example by abrasion, thereby neutralising the plateidentification system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem which has to be solved through this invention is thereforethat of providing an identification plate for objects such as computers,etc., whose identification and/or recovery information cannot be erased,at least not totally, by abrading off the upper layers of the plate.

The solution is based on the provision of an identification plate whichhas two separate information zones having two different levels ofprotection in which one of these zones, which has a lower level ofprotection, displays first information such as information identifyingthe object, for example its identification code, the registered trademark or logo of the company responsible for identification and/orrecovery of the object, text dissuading theft or a combination of theabove, and in which the second information zone, which has a higherlevel of protection, shows second information such as the informationwhich is most necessary in the case of loss or theft of theobject-object recovery information, for example the address or contacttelephone number for the persons who wish to return the object to itslawful owner.

In this context, by “level of protection of information” is meant theability of the substrate on which the information is printed to preservethe legibility of the said information from any change, especiallyerasure of all or part of it.

Also, “identification information” means any appropriate information foridentifying the object requiring protection.

Also, by “recovery information” is meant any appropriate information sothat the object can be recovered or returned to its lawful owner once ithas been lost or stolen.

As a consequence a first aspect of the invention relates to anidentification plate which is attached to a wall of an object requiringprotection, which bears first information (2) on the object and secondinformation (7) on the object, characterised in that the firstinformation (2) on the object is located on a first plate (1) and thesecond information (7) on the object is located on a second plate (6)which is located in a window provided within the first plate (1), and inthat the level of protection of the second information (7) is greaterthan that for the first information (2).

An identification plate such as that described here has the additionaladvantage that the ink used to print the information in the first layercan be normal printing ink for the material of which the layer (normallyPVC) is made and there is no need to use special printing techniquessuch as has been the case in the prior art, for example by means ofvapour-phase deposition, in European patent EP 0,465,305.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an identification plate according to theinvention which bears identification information (2) for the object andrecovery information (7) for the object in such a way that theinformation (2) identifying the object is located on a first plate (1)and the recovery information (7) for the object is located on a secondplate (6) which is located in a window provided within the first plate(1).

FIG. 2 shows in cross-section a preferred embodiment of theidentification plate according to the invention. In this it will be seenthat the information (2) identifying the object is printed on the topsurface of the first plate (1), while the recovery information (7) forthe object is printed on the bottom surface of a second plate (6), whichis a transparent film located in a window provided within the firstplate (1). Finally the assembly is protected by means of a protectivelayer (3), such as a bead of transparent resin, a high strength varnishor the like.

FIG. 3 shows an identification plate constructed according to thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the top surface of which has beenworn away with the intention of erasing the recovery information. Hereit will be noted that although the protective layer (3) has beenremoved, the recovery information (7) for the object printed on thebottom surface of the second plate (6) is still protected by itstransparent film (6) which remains wholly or partly present, and thetext can be read through it even though the surface has been abraded.

FIG. 4 shows a view in cross-section of an alternative embodiment of theidentification plate according to the invention. In this it will be seenthat the information (2) identifying the object is printed on the topsurface of the first plate (1), while the recovery information (7) forthe object is printed on an intermediate surface of the second platewhich in this case comprises a set of stratified material comprising atleast two layers (6, 8) of material, the lower surface (8) of apreferably coloured non-transparent material and the upper layer (6) ofa transparent preferably coloured material.

FIG. 5 shows an identification plate constructed according to thealternative embodiment of the invention, the top surface of which hasbeen abraded with the intention of erasing the recovery information. Inthis it will be seen that although the protective layer (3) has beenremoved, the recovery information (7) for the object printed on theintermediate surface of the second plate assembly is still protected bythe upper layer (6) of the stratified assembly, which remains wholly orpartly intact, and the text can be read through it, even when thesurface has been abraded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The identification plate according to the invention comprises two parts:a first plate (1) which has first information (2) having a first levelof protection, such as the registered trade mark or logo of the companyresponsible for protection of the equipment, text dissuading theft ofthe type “equipment protected against theft” or an individual bar codeto aid identification of the equipment, or any combination of the above,printed on its surface. This is preferably made of PVC, although it mayalso be manufactured from other plastics or even metal, and its colourshould be white, grey or some other background colour. The information(2) on the first plate (1) can be printed using any normal technique forprinting on the material of which the plate is made. This first plate(1) is provided with a window opening onto its interior, which may be ofany shape although it is preferably rectangular, round or elliptical,designed so that a second plate (6) on which second information (7)having a second level of protection is inserted in it so that the levelof protection of the second information (7) is greater than that for thefirst information (2). Any method which provides a greater level ofprotection for the second information than the first information isconsidered to be included within the scope of this invention. However,in a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and3, this is achieved through the provision of a first plate (1) which hasthe identification information (2) for the object printed on its surfaceand which is provided with a window opening onto its interior designedfor the insertion therein of a second plate (6) bearing recoveryinformation (7) for the object printed on its bottom surface. The secondplate may be located in any position within the first plate, preferablycentred with respect thereto, although it may also be at the top,bottom, right hand side or left hand side, and be horizontal orvertical. Given that the second plate (6) is a transparent film, eithercolourless or coloured, preferably of transparent PVC or glass, theinformation printed on its bottom side can be read through that film.When the identification plate according to the invention is finelybonded to the wall of the object requiring protection, the transparentfilm will adhere directly to the wall of the object by means of itslower surface, that is to say by the surface which bears the printedinformation for recovery of the object, so that the information printedon it is permanently bonded to the wall of the object, forming anindelible block therewith.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the identification plateaccording to the invention also comprises at least one protective layer(3) which covers both the first plate (1) and the second plate (6), suchas a bead of transparent resin, high protection varnish or the like.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,the second plate comprises a set of stratified material comprising atleast two layers (6, 8) of material and second information (7) isprinted on at least one of the intermediate surfaces of the layers ofthe stratified material so that the said second information is enclosedbetween the two surfaces of the stratified material. In this way, forexample, the said second information (7) can be printed on the uppersurface of a layer (8) of non-transparent material, for example yellowor otherwise coloured PVC, and upon this can be placed a layer (6) oftransparent material, for example transparent PVC. Preferably all thelayers in the stratified material are joined together permanently forexample by means of hot pressing (with pressure and heat) or using atransparent adhesive. In this way the assembly making up the secondplate (6, 7, 8) ultimately becomes a single piece which cannot beseparated into its original components, and in which the informationwhich is printed on it has a very high level of protection.

Anyone who wishes to remove the identification plate according to theinvention will in the first place attempt to remove the platecompletely, finding that this is not easy because of the high strengthof the adhesive (5) used, which may be of any type although preferably acyanoacrylate. He will then attempt to erase the identificationinformation (2) or recovery information (7), in order to do which hewill first attempt to remove the bead (3) of protective resin, which canbe achieved with some force, and secondly to erase or abrade theidentification information (2) printed on the first plate (1) which hasa lower level of protection, in order to continue with the recoveryinformation (7) printed on the assembly of the second plate (6, 7 or 6,7, 8), which has a greater level of protection. Nevertheless, onreaching this second plate he will find that it is not possible to eraseinformation from this plate using normal means because the recoveryinformation (7) is printed on the bottom surface or an intermediatesurface in the assembly forming that plate, as a result of which itremains protected by the plate itself, the information being legibleeven after an attempt at abrasion.

The first plate (1) can be manufactured from any material which issuitable for bonding to a surface on one side and may bear printedinformation on the other. Preferably it will be made of PVC, morepreferably of coloured PVC. The window which will be provided in thisfirst plate may be of any shape, although preferably it will berectangular, round or elliptical, and may be located in any positionwith respect thereto.

The second plate (6) may be manufactured in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention using any material which can bear printed information onone surface and which can be bonded to a surface on that same side.Preferably it will be resistant to chemicals and will be made ofcolourless or coloured, for example red or yellow, PVC. In thealternative embodiment of the invention the second plate may bemanufactured of any stratified material which is capable of bearinginformation printed on one of its internal surfaces and of being bondedto a surface by means of one of its external surfaces. Preferably itwill be resistant to chemicals and will be made of colourless orcoloured, for example red or yellow, PVC.

The protective layer (3) protecting the assembly of the first and secondplates may be manufactured from any transparent material which can bedeposited onto the aforesaid components, providing protection for them.Preferably it will be a bead of transparent resin or a high protectionvarnish.

Thus the identification plate according to the invention provides thedesired advantages of an unalterable view of the identification and/orrecovery information printed on the bottom surface of the transparentfilm even though an attempt is made to erase the upper layers of theplate through abrasion.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable object requiring protection,having bonded to a wall thereof an identification plate comprising firstinformation about the object and second information about the object,wherein the first information about the object is located on a firstplate and the second information about the object is printed on a secondplate which is permanently fixed in a window provided within the firstplate and is in contact with the wall of said portable object, saidsecond plate comprising means for protecting the second information fromerasure that, when partially abraded, can form a jagged layer ofmaterial that covers and protects the second information, said secondplate having an object-facing surface, said second information beinglocated on the object-facing surface of said second plate such that thesecond information about the object has greater resistance to erasurethan the first information about the object, said identification platefurther comprising a bottom layer which includes a high strengthadhesive on its lower surface bonding said first and second plates tosaid portable object, wherein the high strength adhesive is disposedbetween the surface comprising the second information and the wall ofthe portable object.
 2. The portable object according to claim 1 whereinthe identification plate further comprises at least one protective layer(3) substantially covering both the first plate (1) and the second plate(6, 8).
 3. The portable object according to claim 2, wherein the atleast one protective layer substantially covering both the first plateand the second plate is a bead of transparent resin or a high protectionvarnish.
 4. The portable object according to claim 1, wherein the secondplate of said identification plate comprises a transparent film printedon its underside.
 5. The portable object according to claim 4 whereinthe transparent film is of transparent PVC or glass.
 6. The portableobject as claimed in claim 5 wherein the transparent film of PVC orglass is colored.
 7. The portable object as claimed in claim 5 whereinthe transparent film of PVC or glass is colorless.
 8. The portableobject according to claim 1, wherein the first plate of theidentification plate is of plastics material or metal.
 9. The portableobject according to claim 1, wherein the window provided in the firstplate of the identification plate is of rectangular, round or ellipticalshape.
 10. The portable object according to claim 1, wherein the highstrength adhesive is a cyanoacrylate.
 11. The portable object accordingto claim 1, which is a a computer.
 12. A portable object requiringprotection, having bonded to a wall thereof an identification plate, theportable object being larger than the identification plate with ends ofthe identification plate being spaced from ends of the portable object,the identification plate comprising first information about the objectand second information about the object, wherein the first informationabout the object is located on a surface of a first plate the secondinformation about the object is located on a second plate which islocated in a window provided within the first plate, wherein the secondplate of said identification plate comprises a stratified materialincorporating at least two layers permanently bonded together to form asingle piece which cannot be separated into its original components, andthe second information is printed on at least one intermediate surfaceof the stratified material in such a way that the said secondinformation is enclosed between two of the layers of the stratifiedmaterial, wherein a bottommost layer of the at least two layerscomprises a high strength adhesive on its lower surface which is bondeddirectly to the wall of the portable object, and wherein the at leastone intermediate surface of the stratified material on which the secondinformation is printed is disposed closer to the bottommost layer thanis the surface of the first plate on which the first information islocated such that the second information about the object has greaterresistance to erasure than the first information about the object. 13.The portable object according to claim 12, wherein the identificationplate comprises a layer of coloured PVC on which second information isprinted and a layer of transparent PVC placed above it.
 14. The portableobject according to claim 12, wherein the identification plate comprisesa layer of coloured PVC on which second information is printed and alayer of transparent PVC placed above it.
 15. The portable objectaccording to claim 12, wherein the layers incorporated in the stratifiedmaterial permanently bonded together have been bonded by hot pressing orby means of a transparent adhesive.
 16. The portable object according toclaim 12, wherein the second plate is made of a material that isresistant to chemicals.
 17. The portable object according to claim 12,wherein the stratified material comprises a topmost layer comprisingmeans for protecting the second information from erasure that, whenpartially abraded, can form a jagged layer of material that covers andprotects the second information.
 18. The portable object according toclaim 17, wherein the layers incorporated in the stratified material arepermanently bonded together by hot pressing.
 19. The portable objectaccording to claim 17, wherein the object is a computer and the highstrength adhesive bonds the bottom layer directly to the wall of thecomputer.